Dalai Lama extends birthday wishes to PM Modi
DHARAMSALA, 18 Sept: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has wished India’s Prime Minister the warmest good wishes and prayers for his continued good health on his birthday.
“It’s wonderful that India has successfully met the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Although we have not seen the complete end to it, India today is better placed to address similar challenges in the future,” the Dalai Lama has said in a missive addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who turned 72 years old Saturday.
The Dalai Lama adds that as the longest-staying guest in India, he observed India’s development first-hand and that India has now emerged as a rising economic power and a leader in science and technology.”
“India’s strong democratic foundation is an example of peace and stability. Having one of the youngest populations is an asset that will enable further development and the fulfilment of positive aspirations. I am delighted to say India is poised to assume its rightful place in the world,” the Tibetan Nobel laureate added.
Expressing his great admiration for the way Mahatma Gandhi made the age-old practice of ‘ahimsa’ appreciated across the world, the Dalai Lama added: “May I reiterate that on my part, in addition to seeking to promote this principle wherever possible, I am deeply committed to creating greater awareness of the power of ‘karuna’ to help us all lead a happy and meaningful life. These values are treasures from the Indian tradition.”
The octogenarian Tibetan leader concluded by offering his “deep gratitude to the government and people of India for the warm and generous hospitality we Tibetans have enjoyed since we were forced into exile in 1959.”
